Birth Made Beautiful ~ Kara Jo Prestrud

06/27/2025

We're hiring! Certified Nurse Midwife (casual) - Western Wisconsin Health.

The Western Wisconsin Health birth center embraces a midwifery model of care, with patient-centered and individualized care as a hallmark of the care we provide. This is a growing practice with opportunities for developing and promoting midwifery in Western Wisconsin.

We're currently seeking a Certified Nurse Midwife (casual) to assist in call coverage. In this role, you'll work independently with antepartum, postpartum and laboring patients, and collaborate with physicians and specialty staff as indicated and needed.

Join an exciting and growing team with a focus on the future of health care delivery!

Apply today at https://secure3.saashr.com/ta/6109363.careers?rnd=BQA&ShowAllOpenings=&%40rtm=1

03/29/2025

As we close out World Doula Week, it seems somewhat fitting to share with you that after almost 17 treasured years attending births, I am retiring from full-time doula work. It is with bittersweet tears of thanksgiving that I make this announcement. I cannot express the depths of my gratitude for the precious and amazing families I have been privileged to serve all these years. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!! You have enriched my life beyond measure.

What's next for me? Well, birth will forever be part of who I am, and I will continue to serve in the area of perinatal/maternal mental health as a therapist. I am completing my MA in Clinical Counseling and have begun seeing therapy clients as an intern at Counseling Care LLC in Lake Elmo MN. https://counselingcare.us/

I hope to specialize in the areas of perinatal/maternal mental health as well as emotional/spiritual abuse, and healing from loss and trauma.

I will continue to treasure hearing updates from all of you, and will never decline a sweet picture of your little ones to show me how they've grown and how you're doing!

Blessings to you all!

Kara Jo

03/27/2025

We’ve heard of an occasional maternal-assisted c-section in the Twin Cities area. It would be wonderful to see this happening more and more. It’s good for the immediate bonding between moms and babies.

03/17/2025

The American College of Ob-Gyn (ACOG) says VBAC is a safe and reasonable option for most women after 1 or 2 cesareans. Yet far fewer are offered this option, often with inaccurate and fear-based information as the reason.

What is the risk of uterine rupture during a labor after two cesareans?

So often, we hear the risk is 0.9 - 1.8%. But that doesn't tell the whole picture.

The truth is, those numbers are based on studies in which 49 - 65% of labors were induced or augmented.

As we know, induction and augmentation has been associated with increased uterine rupture rates.

So it's quite likely that the risk of uterine rupture during a non-induced or augmented labor after two cesareans may be significantly lower.

This is why it's so important to understand what the research says.

Sometimes vital pieces of information are lost as statistics are simplified and shared.

What have you heard about VBA2C?

We summarize the available evidence on VBA2C here: https://vbacfacts.com/vba2c

If you are a perinatal professional who wants to provide the best VBAC information and support, we offer a continuing education training on VBA2C (approved for 2.4 contact hours) so you can easily integrate the evidence into your practice as well a VBA2C handout for birthing families so you can quickly communicate the facts to your clients.

These are just two of the benefits of joining VBAC Facts® professional membership.

Register today: https://vbacfacts.com/membership

03/12/2025

Mama, this season is the hardest

When they're little babies and you're constantly checking their breathing, or you're bemoaning their off-kilter sleep cycle. Their p**p looks unusual. Their screams are earth-shattering. Their latch is tearing your ni***es up.

Mama, this season is the hardest.

When they grow into toddlers, and are trying to figure out how to express themselves. They learn how to tantrum. They learn how to get mama's attention fast with body flinging, or biting, or banging their heads against their cribs.

Mama, this season is the hardest.

They finally start in school and you've never missed them more. They are making friends but also feeling the pangs of growing up through mean words, bullying, and not fitting in. You want to protect them but you know they need to start fighting their own battles and you hope you've taught them how. You hope they're finding their way without you constantly by their side.

Mama, this season is the hardest.

Now they're teenagers and you are the enemy. They want nothing to do with you but still need everything from you. You try to hold your tongue and be a sounding board, but retain the balance of still being their parent and teaching them, guiding them. You feel them letting go and it hurts deep inside, but you try to stay strong. You know they still need you even though they act like they don't.

Mama, this season is the hardest.

And now they're gone. They've moved out, moved on. They're adults on paper but all you still see is your little baby playing grown up in the real world. You still want to hold them close, to keep them safe. You wish nothing bad for them, but know that it's now completely out of your hands. And you reflect back on the earlier years of life and think... THIS. Today. This letting go of them completely? This season is the hardest.

***
Art by This Mama Doodles

If you like this post, follow me at Celeste Yvonne

01/30/2025

Any that surprised you?

The top baby names of 2024 at The Mother Baby Center are here! Do you see your little one’s name on the list?

Thank you to all our patient families for choosing The Mother Baby Center and trusting our team of experts with your special day.💛

12/27/2024

VBAC Class in western WI!

Introduction to VBAC coming up soon‼️ I’d love to see you there!

WHEN: Monday, January 6, 2025
WHERE: TruLiving Birth Center (Menomonie WI)
TIME: 5:00–8:30pm
COST: $50/couple

This class will be a basic overview on the issue of VBAC vs. planned repeat c-section. It is a good fit for those exploring their options or wanting to learn more about VBAC for informed decisionmaking. For people seeking more in-depth guidance on preparing for a VBAC, both physically & emotionally, there will be a Part II dedicated to that at a later time. 🤍

ABOUT ME: I’m Diana. Wife, mother, doula. Former ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network) chapter leader. I’ve had a c-section and a VBAC and supported countless others through their cesarean healing & VBAC journeys. I can’t wait to teach this class 🤗

11/24/2024

This is not to discount the % of cesareans that are needed and necessary. But WHO and solid research tell us that there’s no good reason c-section rates should be above 10-15%. In European countries that practice the midwifery model first and only use OB’s if needed, cesarean rates are much lower than in the U.S. We have a long way to go in best birth practices that are evidence-based.

True story.

11/07/2024

💜 This birth has an EXTRA special place as my most favorite birth ever attended… the birth of my own GRANDSON, Zeal!

At 8:34pm on October 4th, Abby and Zeke welcomed their sweet baby boy, Zeal into the world! Congratulations on this smiling bundle of joy!

10/25/2024

Spinning Babies is one of the most helpful and practical trainings I’ve taken throughout my 16 years as a doula. I use it with nearly every client, and have lost count of how many times I’ve seen it make a noticeable or even dramatic difference for birth.

10/23/2024

Disappointed over this loss for our birth community.

Today we announced to our clients that Willow Midwives will be closing our doors on December 30th, 2024 at 7am. This is mainly due to financial stress on our practice in response to the inequitable and unsustainable reimbursements both from the state and private insurance payers. Willow Midwives will be the second Birth Center in Minnesota to close this year. We have been working on legislative changes with all birth centers in Minnesota and will continue to fight for these changes. For more information go to www.aabcminnesota.com.

Our hearts are sad to say goodbye to all the families we have served. We are grateful for the opportunity to have served so many wonderful families and their healthcare needs over the years. Please know that we are here to support our clients, team, and community during this transition, and we welcome any questions or concerns as they arise. Please feel free to email info@willowmidwives.com to continue the conversation prior to 12/29/24.

You can view the letter to clients via the link below: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1viM4FhrsI3X10-o28w_mA9h3zyN6djIfJ7CLdaJg5O0/edit?usp=sharing.

Our gratitude and best wishes go out to all of you,

With love,
Willow Leadership Team
Susanna, Kate, & Jillian

What can you do to support Birth Centers in MN?
We have been working hard on increasing insurance contract payments and working towards legislative changes to increase state Medicaid payments. We have seen significant change and a positive path forward for birth centers to receive sustainable payments from commercial and state insurance. Although we were hoping to see this change come faster, the changes with state Medicaid take time, and money for lobbying. Unfortunately, these changes will not be fast enough to help Willow. Even though Willow is closing, we would love your support of these projects to keep the birth center model of care an option for Minnesota families. Learn more at www.aabcminnesota.com and donate to help fund this project at https://gofund.me/447bf435

09/26/2024

While many babies thrive after their NICU stays, we also want to acknowledge and remember the ones who don’t. 🤍

Remembering with all our NICU loss parents today and holding you close. We'd love to hear about your babies. 💚 Who are you missing?